20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Dubai • The Blonde Abroad

Dubai doesn’t just live up to its reputation; it will completely exceed your expectations.

My first experience in Dubai was back in 2012, and it was my first ever trip to the Middle East. I had just spent the last two weeks exploring the sights and indulging in the tastes of Jordan, and while I knew to expect the ancient wonders of Petra, the natural beauty of the Dead Sea and the magic of a starry sky in Wadi Rum in Jordan, I had no idea what to expect in Dubai.

On my second, and most recent trip to Dubai, I was able to explore more of the magical city. I stayed a few nights at the Rixos The Palm on Palm Island, The Rove Downtown Dubai (the most amazing budget hotel I’ve ever been to), and the ritzy Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.

From a traditional Turkish hammam experience, to hanging out with camels in the desert, to climbing to the top of the Burj Khalifa (1,820 feet high!), there’s no shortage of adventure and new adventures to be had in Dubai.

With its bold architecture and audacious style, the United Arab Emirates’ largest city is a distinct fusion of its Bedouin heritage and an ultramodern style all its own.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

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Staying at Rove Downtown Dubai

The Ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel

Dubai through my Eyes

Why NOW Is The Best Time for Americans to Travel

10 Reasons NOT to Travel (and Why They’re Wrong)

How to Avoid Overpacking for a Trip

The Ultimate Travel Gear Packing Guide

Instagram

The part of my job that doesn’t usually make it to Instagram 💻
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For every trip, travel guide and pretty photo you see, there’s a whole lot happening behind the scenes.

I’m constantly writing, researching, planning what’s next, running multiple businesses… and currently using AI to help build an entirely new website.

My AMD Ryzen AI-powered laptop has become the command center for all of it. I can have approximately 47 things happening at once (a conservative estimate), and it keeps up with the chaos.

Because ultimately, the goal is to spend a little less time behind the screen and a lot more time out experiencing the world. ✈️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@AMD #ad #AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18358028068172939

The part of my job that doesn’t usually make it to Instagram 💻
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
For every trip, travel guide and pretty photo you see, there’s a whole lot happening behind the scenes.

I’m constantly writing, researching, planning what’s next, running multiple businesses… and currently using AI to help build an entirely new website.

My AMD Ryzen AI-powered laptop has become the command center for all of it. I can have approximately 47 things happening at once (a conservative estimate), and it keeps up with the chaos.

Because ultimately, the goal is to spend a little less time behind the screen and a lot more time out experiencing the world. ✈️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@AMD #ad #AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower

Just a girl who wants both… luxury AND adventure. 🏔️✨

And Gardena Grödnerhof in Ortisei might be one of my favorite examples of exactly that!
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We spent our days exploring some of the most iconic sights in the Dolomites, then came back to the comforts of an incredible five-star hotel. Even traveling with a four-year-old, getting out and exploring felt surprisingly effortless.

A few things that made our stay so special:

📍 THE LOCATION: Right in the heart of Ortisei, a charming, walkable mountain town with easy access to Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, and some of the Dolomites’ most beautiful scenery.

🛏️ THE ROOMS: We stayed in the Chalet Seceda Suite, complete with a huge balcony, mountain views, a fireplace, and even our own private sauna!

🧸 FOR THE KIDS: A fantastic kids club, kid-sized robes and slippers, play areas, and thoughtful little details that make traveling as a family so much easier.

🧖🏼‍♀️ THE WELLNESS: A beautiful spa with an indoor pool, outdoor whirlpool, saunas, and plenty of ways to relax after a day in the mountains.

🍝 THE FOOD: Two restaurants, including Michelin-starred Anna Stuben, and an incredible breakfast spread (complete with a juicing room).

What made this hotel so special was how accessible the adventure felt. We could have these huge days exploring the mountains and come back to somewhere so comfortable, with incredible food, a beautiful spa, and everything we needed to relax.

It was the perfect way to end our time in the Dolomites!
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Save this one for your next trip to the Italian Alps! 🇮🇹

@gardenagroednerhof #gardenagrödnerhof @kiwicollection #carewhereyoustay #Dolomites #Ortisei

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18116831827799474

Just a girl who wants both… luxury AND adventure. 🏔️✨

And Gardena Grödnerhof in Ortisei might be one of my favorite examples of exactly that!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We spent our days exploring some of the most iconic sights in the Dolomites, then came back to the comforts of an incredible five-star hotel. Even traveling with a four-year-old, getting out and exploring felt surprisingly effortless.

A few things that made our stay so special:

📍 THE LOCATION: Right in the heart of Ortisei, a charming, walkable mountain town with easy access to Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, and some of the Dolomites’ most beautiful scenery.

🛏️ THE ROOMS: We stayed in the Chalet Seceda Suite, complete with a huge balcony, mountain views, a fireplace, and even our own private sauna!

🧸 FOR THE KIDS: A fantastic kids club, kid-sized robes and slippers, play areas, and thoughtful little details that make traveling as a family so much easier.

🧖🏼‍♀️ THE WELLNESS: A beautiful spa with an indoor pool, outdoor whirlpool, saunas, and plenty of ways to relax after a day in the mountains.

🍝 THE FOOD: Two restaurants, including Michelin-starred Anna Stuben, and an incredible breakfast spread (complete with a juicing room).

What made this hotel so special was how accessible the adventure felt. We could have these huge days exploring the mountains and come back to somewhere so comfortable, with incredible food, a beautiful spa, and everything we needed to relax.

It was the perfect way to end our time in the Dolomites!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Save this one for your next trip to the Italian Alps! 🇮🇹

@gardenagroednerhof #gardenagrödnerhof @kiwicollection #carewhereyoustay #Dolomites #Ortisei

Our @tbaescapes Maldives trip is back for its third year — April 10–17, 2027! 🐠🌴
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There aren’t many trips I’d happily do over and over again, but this is definitely one of them.

We spend seven nights on our own private yacht with an incredible group of women, diving and snorkeling some of the most beautiful reefs in the Maldives, eating way too much good food, doing yoga, getting massages and basically living on (and in) the water for a week.

And you do NOT have to be a scuba diver to join us!

That’s one of my favorite things about this trip. You can pick whichever package sounds most like your ideal week:

🤿 Scuba: 12 dives + 2 spa treatments
🤿💆‍♀️ Scuba + Spa: 6 dives + 4 spa treatments
💆‍♀️ Spa: 8 spa treatments + no diving

Want more of either? You can add extra dives or spa treatments during the trip too.

***

📍 Maldives
🗓 April 10–17, 2027
👯‍♀️ Private, all-female yacht charter
🐠 Incredible snorkeling
💆‍♀️ 300m² spa spread across two decks
🧘‍♀️ Daily yoga
🍽 All-inclusive dining
🌅 Sandbank sunsets + a moonlit beach BBQ
🛥 Just 20 women

***

Some cabin categories are already SOLD OUT, and we don’t currently have another departure scheduled.

So if you’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives but the whole honeymoon-resort thing isn’t exactly your vibe… this is YOUR Maldives trip. 💙
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
👇 Click the link below for the full itinerary, available cabins + pricing, or comment MALDIVES and I’ll send you all the details!

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17951570499276180

Our @tbaescapes Maldives trip is back for its third year — April 10–17, 2027! 🐠🌴
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
There aren’t many trips I’d happily do over and over again, but this is definitely one of them.

We spend seven nights on our own private yacht with an incredible group of women, diving and snorkeling some of the most beautiful reefs in the Maldives, eating way too much good food, doing yoga, getting massages and basically living on (and in) the water for a week.

And you do NOT have to be a scuba diver to join us!

That’s one of my favorite things about this trip. You can pick whichever package sounds most like your ideal week:

🤿 Scuba: 12 dives + 2 spa treatments
🤿💆‍♀️ Scuba + Spa: 6 dives + 4 spa treatments
💆‍♀️ Spa: 8 spa treatments + no diving

Want more of either? You can add extra dives or spa treatments during the trip too.

***

📍 Maldives
🗓 April 10–17, 2027
👯‍♀️ Private, all-female yacht charter
🐠 Incredible snorkeling
💆‍♀️ 300m² spa spread across two decks
🧘‍♀️ Daily yoga
🍽 All-inclusive dining
🌅 Sandbank sunsets + a moonlit beach BBQ
🛥 Just 20 women

***

Some cabin categories are already SOLD OUT, and we don’t currently have another departure scheduled.

So if you’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives but the whole honeymoon-resort thing isn’t exactly your vibe… this is YOUR Maldives trip. 💙
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
👇 Click the link below for the full itinerary, available cabins + pricing, or comment MALDIVES and I’ll send you all the details!

Turns out you can fit a lot of life into one year. 🤍
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Moving abroad with a four-year-old while running multiple businesses from the road has been equal parts incredible, chaotic, exhausting and unforgettable.

For the past six months, my AMD Ryzen AI-powered laptop has come along for all of it… from Cape Town to Europe and everywhere in between.

It’s lightweight enough to travel with me, powerful enough to keep up with my million open tabs, and the battery life has genuinely exceeded my expectations.

There are definitely easier ways to live 😂 But I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything.

Here’s to building a life that makes sense to you!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@AMD #ad #AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18105147383615878

Turns out you can fit a lot of life into one year. 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Moving abroad with a four-year-old while running multiple businesses from the road has been equal parts incredible, chaotic, exhausting and unforgettable.

For the past six months, my AMD Ryzen AI-powered laptop has come along for all of it… from Cape Town to Europe and everywhere in between.

It’s lightweight enough to travel with me, powerful enough to keep up with my million open tabs, and the battery life has genuinely exceeded my expectations.

There are definitely easier ways to live 😂 But I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything.

Here’s to building a life that makes sense to you!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@AMD #ad #AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower

We call them “cow wind chimes” 🐄🔔⛰️
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No trending audio could ever compete with this.

Just me and my little guy wandering around Lake Trübsee, surrounded by the happiest cows making their little mountain music.

Sound on for this one! 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
📍 Lake Trübsee, Mt. Titlis, Switzerland

#LakeTrübsee #Engelberg #SwissAlps #SwitzerlandTravel #VisitSwitzerland

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18138260548617510

We call them “cow wind chimes” 🐄🔔⛰️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
No trending audio could ever compete with this.

Just me and my little guy wandering around Lake Trübsee, surrounded by the happiest cows making their little mountain music.

Sound on for this one! 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
📍 Lake Trübsee, Mt. Titlis, Switzerland

#LakeTrübsee #Engelberg #SwissAlps #SwitzerlandTravel #VisitSwitzerland

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Emma

I loved Dubai too Kiersten! And what’s weird is the big misconception that you can’t drink and that women have to cover up from head to toe and will get harassed! How far from the truth! People were so friendly there and it is EXTREMELY safe. I was really glad I could share photos from this amazing part of the world with people back home to show them how fun and extraordinary it was!

I absolutely fell in love with the desert safari I did too (I wrote an article on it too on my site). You’ll see from the pics why 😉

Also if you do go back to the Middle East, take an adventure into Oman, it has some amazing scuba diving! Nothing quite compares to the rugged landscape and then setting eyes on the bright turquoise ocean <3

October 6, 2016 at 8:11 pm · Reply

Kiersten Rich

Completely agree! Thanks for sharing 🙂

October 10, 2016 at 3:19 pm · Reply

Sunil @ Cabs in agra

This is really exciting photos shared for the tourist couples. It is amazing photography to inspire the other travel lovers at Dubai

October 6, 2016 at 11:08 pm · Reply

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Dubai doesn’t just live up to its reputation; it will completely exceed your expectations.

With its bold architecture and audacious style, the United Arab Emirates’ largest city is a distinct fusion of its Bedouin heritage and an ultramodern style all its own.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

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